Welcome!
Today, we embark on a journey to explore the critical field of global issues and effective communication. In our time together, we'll delve into three key stages: understanding different speaking formats, crafting a comprehensive 20-minute talk on five major global problems, and uncovering invaluable instructions, strategies, and tips for delivering impactful speeches on these pressing issues. Together, we'll navigate through the nuances of communication, empowering ourselves to articulate complex topics with clarity.
DISCUSSION
Fear of public speaking
Learning aim: talk about speaking in public (15–20 minutes)
Have you ever had to speak or perform in public?
What were the circumstances? Were you nervous or not?
What are some occupations where speaking in public is an important skill?
A Studies have shown that public speaking is many people’s biggest fear. Do you share this fear? Complete the survey. Add a statement of your own.
Are you AFFRAID to talk? ⬜ Always true ⬜ Sometimes true ⬜ Never true
1 I can’t sleep the night before a presentation.
2 I rarely participate in discussions at work or in class.
3 I avoid situations in which I might have to give an impromptu speech.
4 When talking to others, I find it hard to look people in the eye.
5 I can speak only from a prepared speech.
6 I am intimidated by job interviews.
7 I’d rather go to the dentist, pay taxes, or clean closets than give a presentation
8 _____________________________________________________________________
B Pair work Compare and explain your answers using examples from your life whenever possible.
What do you have in common? How are you different?
Understanding Different Speaking Formats
A plan for a 20-minute talk covering five major global problems
Instructions, Strategies, and Tips for Presenting a Speech on Global Problems
How can we effectively participate in different types of communication, whether it's a casual chat with friends (talk), a persuasive address to a large audience (speech), a slideshow explaining a new product (presentation), a college class led by a professor (lecture), or a brainstorming session with colleagues (discussion)?
Understanding Different Speaking Formats
By understanding these different formats and using the appropriate strategies and tips, you can effectively prepare and deliver any type of public speaking engagement.
Speaking Formats
Talk
Speech
Presentation
Lecture
Discussion
Related Speaking Formats
Seminar
Workshop
Symposium
Keynote
Tips for Each Format
Speaking Formats
• Definition A general term for addressing an audience on a particular topic.
• Characteristics Informal or formal, usually short (5-20 minutes), focused on a specific subject.
• Purpose To inform, entertain, or inspire.
• Example A TED Talk on climate change.
Speech
• Definition A formal address or discourse delivered to an audience.
• Characteristics Structured, often involves rhetoric, can range from short to long (5 minutes to an hour).
• Purpose To persuade, inform, motivate, or entertain.
• Example A commencement speech at a graduation ceremony.
• Definition A structured delivery of information, often supported by visual aids.
• Characteristics Includes slides or other visual elements, interactive elements like Q&A, usually business or academic contexts.
• Purpose To inform, explain, or persuade using visual aids.
• Example A business presentation on a new product.
Lecture
• Definition An educational talk to an audience, especially students in a university or college.
• Characteristics Formal, academic, usually longer (30 minutes to an hour or more), detailed and instructional.
• Purpose To teach or provide in-depth information on a subject.
• Example A university lecture on economic theories.
Discussion
• Definition A conversation or debate about a specific topic.
• Characteristics Interactive, involves multiple participants, informal or formal.
• Purpose To explore different viewpoints, solve problems, or make decisions.
• Example A panel discussion on social media impacts.
Related Speaking Formats
Seminar
• Definition A meeting for discussion or training.
• Characteristics Can be interactive, involves a small group, led by an expert.
• Purpose To discuss topics in-depth, often educational.
• Example A seminar on effective leadership strategies.
Workshop
• Definition A training session in which participants engage in intensive discussion and activity on a particular subject.
• Characteristics Hands-on, practical, collaborative, often longer duration.
• Purpose To develop specific skills or knowledge.
• Example A writing workshop for aspiring authors.
Symposium
• Definition A formal meeting for discussion, typically involving experts on various aspects of a subject.
• Characteristics Series of presentations, followed by discussions, usually academic or professional.
• Purpose To present research findings, share knowledge, and foster discussion.
• Example A medical symposium on recent advances in cancer treatment.
Keynote
• Definition A speech that sets the underlying tone and summarizes the core message or most important revelation of the event.
• Characteristics Delivered at the beginning of a conference or event, inspirational or motivational.
• Purpose To highlight the central theme and engage the audience.
• Example The keynote speech at a technology conference.
Tips for Each Format
1. Understand Your Audience
- Tailor your content and delivery style to the audience’s knowledge level and interests.
2. Be Clear and Concise
- Keep your message focused and avoid unnecessary jargon, especially in shorter formats like talks and speeches.
3. Use Visual Aids Wisely
- In presentations, use slides to complement your speech, not to repeat what you’re saying.
4. Engage the Audience
- Ask questions, encourage participation, and be responsive to the audience’s reactions, especially in discussions and workshops.
5. Practice
- Rehearse your speech or presentation multiple times. For lectures and seminars, be prepared for questions and interactive elements.
6. Structure Your Content
- Start with a strong introduction, follow with the body containing your main points, and conclude with a memorable ending or call to action.
7. Manage Your Time
- Stick to the allotted time for each format. Use a timer during practice sessions.
8. Confidence and Body Language
- Maintain good posture, make eye contact, and use gestures to emphasize points. Confidence in your delivery will engage your audience.
A plan for a 20-minute talk covering five major global problems
This structure provides a comprehensive overview of the selected global problems and offers solutions and calls to action, keeping the talk engaging and informative within the 20-minute timeframe.
Focus
Outline
Problem ➡ Impact ➡ Solutions
Conclusion
Detailed talk
Introduction
Problem 1
Problem 2
Problem 3
Problem4
Problem 5
Conclusion
The problems I’ll focus on are:
1. Climate Change
2. Global Inequality
3. Pandemics and Global Health
4. Water Scarcity
5. Food Security
Outline of the Talk
Introduction (2 minutes)
- Brief introduction of yourself and the topic.
- Importance of addressing global problems.
- Overview of the five chosen issues.
Climate Change (4 minutes)
▶Problem - Rapid changes in climate due to greenhouse gas emissions, leading to extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and loss of biodiversity.
▶Impact - Affects ecosystems, human health, agriculture, and economies.
▶Solutions - Transition to renewable energy, reforestation, international agreements like the Paris Agreement, and individual actions like reducing carbon footprints.
Global Inequality (4 minutes)
▶Problem - Disparity in wealth, income, and access to resources and opportunities between different regions and populations.
▶Impact - Limits economic growth, leads to social unrest, and perpetuates poverty.
▶Solutions - Policy reforms for fair taxation, improving access to education and healthcare, empowering marginalized communities, and promoting fair trade practices.
Pandemics and Global Health (4 minutes)
▶Problem - Emergence of new infectious diseases and re-emergence of old ones, with the potential for rapid global spread.
▶Impact - Strains healthcare systems, disrupts economies, and causes significant loss of life.
▶Solutions - Strengthening global health systems, improving disease surveillance, investing in research and development of vaccines and treatments, and promoting international cooperation.
Water Scarcity (3 minutes)
▶Problem - Limited availability of fresh water due to overuse, pollution, and climate change.
▶Impact - Affects agriculture, human health, and economic development, leading to conflicts over water resources.
▶Solutions - Efficient water management, desalination technologies, conservation efforts, and policies promoting sustainable use of water resources.
Food Security (3 minutes)
▶Problem - Ensuring that all people have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.
▶Impact - Hunger, malnutrition, and food-related diseases, particularly in developing countries.
▶Solutions - Improving agricultural productivity, reducing food waste, supporting small-scale farmers, and creating resilient food systems.
Conclusion (2 minutes)
- Recap of the five global problems discussed.
- Emphasis on the interconnectedness of these issues and the need for collective action.
- Call to action: Encourage the audience to get involved in local and global efforts to address these problems.
- Q&A (if time allows).
Detailed Talk
Introduction
- Good [morning/afternoon/evening], everyone. My name is [Your Name], and today I will be talking about some of the most pressing issues our world is facing. These global problems not only threaten our present but also our future, and it's crucial that we understand and address them. The five issues I'll discuss are Climate Change, Global Inequality, Pandemics and Global Health, Water Scarcity, and Food Security.
Climate Change
- Climate change is one of the most urgent challenges we face today. Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, have led to an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This has caused global temperatures to rise, resulting in more frequent and severe weather events such as hurricanes, droughts, and floods. The rising sea levels threaten coastal communities, and the loss of biodiversity affects ecosystems worldwide.
- The impact of climate change is far-reaching. It affects agriculture, leading to food insecurity, threatens human health through heatwaves and the spread of diseases, and causes economic disruptions.
- To combat climate change, we need to transition to renewable energy sources like wind and solar, protect and restore forests, and adhere to international agreements like the Paris Agreement. On an individual level, we can reduce our carbon footprints by using energy-efficient appliances, reducing waste, and supporting sustainable practices.
Global Inequality
- Global inequality refers to the unequal distribution of wealth, income, and opportunities among different countries and populations. This disparity is evident in various aspects such as education, healthcare, and living standards.
- Inequality limits economic growth and perpetuates poverty, leading to social unrest and political instability. For instance, the richest 1% of the global population owns more than half of the world's wealth, while billions live in extreme poverty.
- Addressing global inequality requires comprehensive policy reforms. This includes fair taxation, investing in education and healthcare, empowering marginalized communities, and promoting fair trade. International cooperation and aid can also play a significant role in reducing inequality.
Pandemics and Global Health
- The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vulnerability of our global health systems. Emerging infectious diseases can spread rapidly, causing widespread illness and death. Pandemics strain healthcare systems, disrupt economies, and affect every aspect of life.
- Strengthening global health infrastructure is essential. This involves improving disease surveillance, investing in research and development for vaccines and treatments, and ensuring equitable access to healthcare services. International cooperation is crucial for early detection and response to health threats.
Water Scarcity
- Water scarcity is becoming a critical issue as demand for fresh water exceeds supply. Overuse, pollution, and climate change are the main contributors to this problem.
- Water scarcity affects agriculture, leading to food shortages, impacts human health, and can cause conflicts over water resources. It's estimated that by 2025, half of the world's population will be living in water-stressed areas.
- Solutions include efficient water management practices, such as drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting, investing in desalination technologies, and promoting policies for sustainable water use. Public awareness and conservation efforts are also essential in addressing this issue.
Food Security
- Ensuring food security means that all people have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. However, factors such as population growth, climate change, and economic instability threaten food security.
- Hunger and malnutrition remain significant challenges, particularly in developing countries. Inadequate food distribution and food waste exacerbate the problem.
- To improve food security, we need to enhance agricultural productivity through sustainable practices, reduce food waste, and support small-scale farmers. Developing resilient food systems that can withstand shocks from climate change and other disruptions is also vital.
Conclusion
- In conclusion, the issues of climate change, global inequality, pandemics and global health, water scarcity, and food security are interconnected and require urgent attention. Addressing these problems demands a collective effort from governments, organizations, and individuals.
- Each one of us can contribute to making a difference, whether through advocating for policy changes, supporting sustainable practices, or raising awareness. Together, we can build a more equitable, healthy, and sustainable world.
- Thank you for your attention. If you have any questions, I’d be happy to answer them now.
Instructions, Strategies, and Tips for Presenting a Speech on Global Problems
By following these instructions, strategies, and tips, you'll be well-prepared to deliver an effective and impactful speech on global problems.
Preparation
Presentation Techniques
Strategies
Tips
Sample Opening and Closing
Preparation
1. Research Thoroughly
- Gather detailed information about each global problem. Use reliable sources like academic journals, government reports, and reputable news outlets.
- Understand the latest statistics and case studies to support your points.
2. Create a Clear Outline
- Structure your speech with a clear introduction, body (with each problem), and conclusion.
- Allocate specific time slots for each section to stay within the 20-minute limit.
3. Develop Key Messages
- Identify the main message for each global problem and ensure it's clear and concise.
- Think about what you want the audience to take away from each section.
4. Visual Aids
- Prepare slides with key points, images, graphs, and charts to enhance understanding and retention.
- Ensure visuals are clear, relevant, and not overcrowded with information.
Presentation Techniques
1. Engage Your Audience
- Start with a compelling hook, such as a striking fact or a personal story related to one of the issues.
- Ask rhetorical questions to provoke thought and keep the audience engaged.
2. Use Clear and Simple Language
- Avoid jargon and complex terminology. Explain any necessary terms in simple language.
- Use analogies and examples to make complex issues more relatable.
3. Emphasize Key Points
- Use repetition to reinforce important points.
- Highlight key messages by changing your tone, pausing, or using visual aids.
4. Body Language and Voice Modulation
- Maintain eye contact with the audience to build a connection.
- Use hand gestures to emphasize points, but avoid overdoing it.
- Vary your pitch and pace to keep the speech dynamic and interesting.
5. Practice
- Rehearse your speech multiple times. Practice in front of a mirror, record yourself, or present to a friend for feedback.
- Time your speech to ensure it fits within the 20-minute limit.
Strategies
1. Connect the Issues
- Show how the global problems are interconnected to provide a holistic view.
- Use transitions between sections to smoothly move from one issue to another.
2. Incorporate Stories and Case Studies
- Use real-world examples and personal stories to illustrate the impact of each problem.
- Stories make your speech more memorable and relatable.
3. Call to Action
- End each section with a call to action, suggesting what individuals or communities can do to help address the problem.
- Make the actions practical and achievable to inspire the audience.
4. Q&A Preparation
- Anticipate possible questions and prepare answers.
- Be ready to provide additional information or clarify points as needed.
Tips
1. Start Strong, End Strong
- Begin with a strong opening to capture attention immediately.
- Conclude with a powerful summary and a motivational call to action to leave a lasting impression.
2. Stay Calm and Confident
- Take deep breaths before starting and maintain a calm demeanor.
- Confidence in your knowledge and delivery will make your speech more convincing.
3. Use Technology Wisely
- Ensure any technology you use (slides, microphone) is functioning properly before the presentation.
- Have a backup plan in case of technical issues, like printed notes or a different method of presenting.
4. Engage with Your Audience
- Encourage participation, such as by asking for a show of hands on a question.
- Be responsive to the audience’s reactions and adapt your speech if necessary.
5. Reflect and Improve
- After the presentation, reflect on what went well and what could be improved.
- Seek feedback from the audience and use it to refine future presentations.
Sample Opening and Closing
Opening
“Good [morning/afternoon/evening], everyone. Imagine a world where the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat are all under threat. This is not a dystopian future; it’s our present reality. Today, I will take you through five of the most pressing global problems that we face—climate change, global inequality, pandemics and global health, water scarcity, and food security—and discuss how we can address these challenges together.”
Closing
“In conclusion, the challenges of climate change, global inequality, pandemics, water scarcity, and food security are immense, but not insurmountable. By understanding these issues and taking collective action, we can create a more sustainable and equitable world. Remember, every small action counts. Let’s start today by making informed choices and advocating for positive change. Thank you for your attention, and I’m happy to answer any questions you may have.”
Warm up
These three questions serve to engage the audience, make the topic relatable, and set the stage for a deeper exploration of the five global problems you'll discuss.
Three opening questions to help introduce the topic of global problems effectively.
"How many of you have noticed changes in weather patterns, like more intense storms or unusual temperature fluctuations, in recent years?"
Purpose: This question introduces the topic of climate change by encouraging the audience to reflect on their personal experiences with weather changes. It immediately makes the issue relatable and sets the stage for discussing its broader impacts.
"What do you think are the biggest challenges facing our world today, and why?"
Purpose: This question engages the audience by inviting them to think about and identify global problems they are aware of. It creates a context for the upcoming discussion and helps you gauge the audience's awareness and perspectives.
"Can anyone share an example of how a global problem, such as water scarcity or inequality, has affected your community or someone you know?"
Purpose: This question connects global problems to local impacts, making the topic more tangible and personal. It encourages the audience to share stories or observations, fostering a sense of connection and urgency about the issues.